An Acceptable Time

 

Psalm 69:9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,
    and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,
    it became my reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,
    I became a byword to them.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,
    and the drunkards make songs about me.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.
    At an acceptable time, O God,
    in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

Like many of the psalms of David, this one finds him calling out to God in desperation. He feels as if he is drowning in his tears as he calls out to God.  Many will recognize verse 9 above as words applied to Jesus as He cleansed the temple.  David for a long time could not even go to the House of the Lord (at that time the Tabernacle); he was too busy running from his enemies.  David looks to God for the "acceptable time" for his prayer to be answered.  This rather lengthy psalm goes one to talk about all the evil being plotted against him, but in the end, once again, David commits to trusting God and calls on his people, and all peoples, to do so as well.